train from Venice to Cinque Terra that stops in Milan, Time to see anything in Milan?

Instead of the 12:10, the next direct train from Milan to Monterosso departs at 14:05 (to arrive 17:05) and I'd be more comfortable with that plan. If you were going to leave your luggage at the Milano Centrale storage office, then it would take time to check in and out, in addition to (for instance) taking the Metro 4 stops each way to/from the Duomo. Right outside of the train station, you'll mostly find hotels - nothing special.

Thanks Laura. Good suggestion. I have a feeling my family will want to get to CT so would you happen to know of a place to grab a good lunch in any of those hotels by any chance?

You can book all on one ticket with stopover in Milan - there is a 16:05 if you want more time in Milan

You have plenty of time to get on the metro and go into the Duomo stop, walk to the duomo square and just sit in the square and enjoy that beautiful cathedral. If you have only 15 minutes to sit there on the cement base of a light standard and meditate on the beauty all around you, what a way to spend 15 minutes. You're in Milano! I'd sit there the entire time. If you felt you needed to "use your time" . .you could take another 10 minutes and scoot into the Galleria and grab a snack . . . but then I'd come back out and mediate in the square some more before zipping back to the train.

Trains in Italy maybe do not arrive in time, but they always depart at the minute from the first stations on a route, stations like Venice and Milan.

If a train is scheduled to stop for five minutes at Monterosso at the sixth minute you'll meet a grumpy Trenitalia conductor asking you how much time you need to get off a train.

For lunch, we twice passed thru Milano Centrale in the last 2 years around lunch time (once on that same trip) and picked up some lunch here.

http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/store/detail/juice-bar1

It's not hard to find, and had some healthy choices, and can to make-to- order, or they have ready-made sandwiches and salads.

Everything is take-out, but there are tables and stools outside their entrance (not outdoors) they share with the either McDonalds or Burger King next door.

Most sit-down restaurants in Italy don't open for lunch before 12:00, so your best bets will be in the station itself or shopping for a packable lunch in Venice. You're welcome to bring food and drink onto the trains. If you reach the Cinque Terre at 15:00, most restaurants will be closed again, with the exception of a few pizza and gelato spots (and I couldn't wait that long, any way).

I'd go further than Laura and suggest an even later train ...

IC 673
Dep 16:05 MILANO CENTRALE (Italy)
Arr 19:05 MONTEROSSO (Italy)

Five hours would at least let you wander the Galleria, get to the roof of the Duomo, and sit down for lunch somewhere.

Cinque Terre then becomes a morning surprise the next day.

Thanks so much everyone. Lots of options for us to consider. Also good inf. on how the trains operate. I haven't been to Italy for 25 years so not only is my memory foggy but things have probably changed.